Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
10/14/2013 3:58:43 PM EDT
I'm sure it has been asked but i couldn't find a post to answer.  I am finally going to be able to complete my long-range rifle build but I think that I might have the wrong barrel.  I have a Wilson Arms 20" .223 Wylde BB w/a 1/8 twist.  Now that I have been able to read and learn (i'm a novice) that a higher twist rate may be optimal for a longer-range application.  I'm obviously not a sniper, but would like to invest in a long-range shooting school and would like to say within the .223 arena for now.  Any thoughts?
10/14/2013 4:15:15 PM EDT
[#1]
What you have is absolutely fine, if not nearly ideal for what you've laid out your goals to be.
10/14/2013 4:38:29 PM EDT
[#2]
what you have needs no fixing ....
10/14/2013 5:09:31 PM EDT
[#3]
IMHO what you have is good.
10/14/2013 5:12:24 PM EDT
[#4]
You could go with a longer barrel, but other than that you're already on the money. Even WOA uses a 1:8 twist on their High Power barrels. You can find 1:7 barrels out there, but those are for tracer rounds and not standard HPBT or FMJ projectiles.
10/14/2013 5:17:47 PM EDT
[#5]
Thank you thus far for the comments.  I unfortunately did not come from an upbringing with firearms so I am starting my education behind everyone else.  Shooting is an art IMHO and it takes a lot of education to be good at it.  But it is a hobby I enjoy and want to become good at.  :)
10/14/2013 5:22:03 PM EDT
[#6]
You will burn up a ton of ammo before you catch up to the capabilities of a quality rifle...It's the Indian..not the arrow
10/14/2013 5:31:36 PM EDT
[#7]
Title should be "Optimal Long Range .223 Bullet"

With your rate of twist, you're good to go for anything mag-fed.

The 68gr Hornady BTHP load from Black Hills is an excellent load.  I just shot a 2" group with it through a Krieger barreled AR15 at 600yds on steel at night. Sounds like BS, but it's true.

69gr SMK is also nice from a 20".

69gr Lapua Scenar

75gr Hornady BTHP

77gr SMK

77gr Lapua Scenar and Scenar-L

Do you just have a barrel, or do you have the gun together already?  Optics and mount? Trigger?
10/14/2013 7:51:45 PM EDT
[#8]
The parts I have are:
Seekins billet lower
Seekins irmt-3 upper
15" Seekins irmt-3 handgaurd
DD LPK
Youngs Lite BCG
JP adjustable gas block
raptor charging handle
geissele SSA-E trigger
larue quick connect w/ harris bipod
Diamond head diamond rear tactical
(waiting for auto-range front diamond head sight)
PRS Stock
20" Wilson Arms BB that I have to get turned down so the Seekins barrel nut will fit over it
Seekins compensator (again have to have that custom mounted to the barrel

I think that is it...thoughts?

I was thinking the Vortex PST 6-24x50 FFP for the glass????  Was saving the big $$$ for glass for the desert tactical recon i'm dreaming about.  LOL
10/14/2013 7:57:03 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I'm sure it has been asked but i couldn't find a post to answer.  I am finally going to be able to complete my long-range rifle build but I think that I might have the wrong barrel.  I have a Wilson Arms 20" .223 Wylde BB w/a 1/8 twist.  Now that I have been able to read and learn (i'm a novice) that a higher twist rate may be optimal for a longer-range application.  I'm obviously not a sniper, but would like to invest in a long-range shooting school and would like to say within the .223 arena for now.  Any thoughts?
View Quote



What you have is the right barrel for the job.  Now get out there and shoot something.










10/14/2013 8:35:16 PM EDT
[#10]
Viper PSTs are great scopes.
10/14/2013 8:47:42 PM EDT
[#11]
The only problem you should have is not being able to blame it on the equipment.
10/14/2013 8:53:02 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Quoted:
Viper PSTs are great scopes.
View Quote

Just bought the same scope... and so far I'm lovin' it... But, if you're going to hunting in low light (I'm not), you might wanna consider their 4-16x50 or move up to one that has a 34mm body.  Remember, they make two versions, reticle on either the 1st or 2nd focal plane.  If you're using a separate range-finder or only shoot at known ranges, you may save a few bucks by getting the 2nd focal plane type where the reticle is not magnified as you increase magnification.
10/14/2013 8:56:36 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Quoted:

Just bought the same scope... and so far I'm lovin' it... But, if you're going to hunting in low light (I'm not), you might wanna consider their 4-16x50 or move up to one that has a 34mm body.  Remember, they make two versions, reticle on either the 1st or 2nd focal plane.  If you're using a separate range-finder or only shoot at known ranges, you may save a few bucks by getting the 2nd focal plane type where the reticle is not magnified as you increase magnification.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Viper PSTs are great scopes.

Just bought the same scope... and so far I'm lovin' it... But, if you're going to hunting in low light (I'm not), you might wanna consider their 4-16x50 or move up to one that has a 34mm body.  Remember, they make two versions, reticle on either the 1st or 2nd focal plane.  If you're using a separate range-finder or only shoot at known ranges, you may save a few bucks by getting the 2nd focal plane type where the reticle is not magnified as you increase magnification.

The reticle in an SFP scope is the same apparent size as the reticle in a FFP scope at max power.

SFP scopes black out targets when dialed down.
10/14/2013 9:11:38 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:

The reticle in an SFP scope is the same apparent size as the reticle in a FFP scope at max power.

SFP scopes black out targets when dialed down.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Viper PSTs are great scopes.

Just bought the same scope... and so far I'm lovin' it... But, if you're going to hunting in low light (I'm not), you might wanna consider their 4-16x50 or move up to one that has a 34mm body.  Remember, they make two versions, reticle on either the 1st or 2nd focal plane.  If you're using a separate range-finder or only shoot at known ranges, you may save a few bucks by getting the 2nd focal plane type where the reticle is not magnified as you increase magnification.

The reticle in an SFP scope is the same apparent size as the reticle in a FFP scope at max power.

SFP scopes black out targets when dialed down.
Ah... I understood the saleman wrong, in a perfectly bassakwards manner...   Probably would have figured it out if they'd have had the FFP in stock to look thru... I'm still likin' the one I got...
10/14/2013 9:18:29 PM EDT
[#15]
He may well have had it backwards. I've heard it a lot from people unfamiliar with the application of FFP scopes.

It's not that hard, I think it gets over thought.
10/14/2013 11:36:54 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote History
Quoted:

The reticle in an SFP scope is the same apparent size as the reticle in a FFP scope at max power.

SFP scopes black out targets when dialed down.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Viper PSTs are great scopes.

Just bought the same scope... and so far I'm lovin' it... But, if you're going to hunting in low light (I'm not), you might wanna consider their 4-16x50 or move up to one that has a 34mm body.  Remember, they make two versions, reticle on either the 1st or 2nd focal plane.  If you're using a separate range-finder or only shoot at known ranges, you may save a few bucks by getting the 2nd focal plane type where the reticle is not magnified as you increase magnification.

The reticle in an SFP scope is the same apparent size as the reticle in a FFP scope at max power.

SFP scopes black out targets when dialed down.


That depends on the scope. In this case, you may be right; but, that's not a general truth. I have SFP scopes with large unmagnified reticles. Others get so small they're basically red dots.
10/15/2013 8:21:45 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote History
Quoted:
You could go with a longer barrel, but other than that you're already on the money. Even WOA uses a 1:8 twist on their High Power barrels. You can find 1:7 barrels out there, but those are for tracer rounds and not standard HPBT or FMJ projectiles.
View Quote



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?
10/15/2013 10:20:29 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Quoted:



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
You could go with a longer barrel, but other than that you're already on the money. Even WOA uses a 1:8 twist on their High Power barrels. You can find 1:7 barrels out there, but those are for tracer rounds and not standard HPBT or FMJ projectiles.



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?


You shoot shoot a long heavy barrel in 1:7?    Or does 'handle' just mean they come out da pipe whole.
10/16/2013 1:17:37 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Quoted:



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
You could go with a longer barrel, but other than that you're already on the money. Even WOA uses a 1:8 twist on their High Power barrels. You can find 1:7 barrels out there, but those are for tracer rounds and not standard HPBT or FMJ projectiles.



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?


They are great for heavier bullets, just not necessary for any heavy 5.56 except for the tracers. A 1:8 handles the heavier ones just as well as the 1:7 and allows use of lighter projectiles too. 1:8 is more versatile unless you NEEEED tracers, then you should get the 1:7.
10/16/2013 8:16:18 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Quoted:



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets
, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
You could go with a longer barrel, but other than that you're already on the money. Even WOA uses a 1:8 twist on their High Power barrels. You can find 1:7 barrels out there, but those are for tracer rounds and not standard HPBT or FMJ projectiles.



I thought 1:7 barrels were excellent to handle heavier bullets
, not just, as you seem to indicate tracer.     Mine handles heavier HPBT or FMJ just fine.   Are you saying it shouldn't?


1/7 was the twist NEEDED to stabilize the extremely long but not that heavy M856 tracer.  It will handle all weights to at least 80 grains.
10/16/2013 10:51:40 AM EDT
[#21]
Quoted:
Wilson Arms 20" .223 Wylde BB w/a 1/8 twist.
View Quote

That's what I've got, in stainless. Magazine-fed 77gr Noslers are good to 600 yards with iron sights. Probably farther if I had the range.
AR Sponsor